Ford Motor CEO Jim Farley announced on Friday the Detroit automaker has struck a deal with Tesla to allow Ford EVs access to their 12,000 superchargers across North America. Currently, Tesla operates the largest network of high-speed Superchargers in the United States. The electric automaker stated last November it would open its charging design to other automakers and charging network operators. Ford is the first major automaker to ink a deal with Tesla to use their proprietary charging equipment. 

A Tesla-developed adapter will provide Ford EVs fitted with the Combined Charging System (CCS) port access to Tesla’s V3 Superchargers. Ford will equip future EVs with Tesla's own charging standard, removing the need for an adapter for direct access to Tesla Superchargers, starting in 2025.  

Range anxiety is one of the main obstacles for broader EV adoption in the U.S according to experts. Fords move to adapt its models to the largest charging system in the country may pay off in increased EV sales for the automaker and allow Tesla to maintain top position in the charging infrastructure race.  ”The idea is that we don't want the Tesla supercharger network to be like a walled garden. We want it to be something that is supportive of electrification and sustainable transport in general," Tesla CEO Elon Musk said during an online Twitter Spaces conversation with Ford CEO Jim Farley. "We love the locations, we love the reliability, your routing software, the ease of use of the connector, the reliability of it," Farley said.

Shares of Ford Motor Co rose more than 7% on Friday to $12.25, while Tesla shares rose 7.5% to $197.95.